23rd May 1908
The meet at Peak Cavern on May 23rd was responsible for a twelve hours’ spell of work, broken only by a short interval for refreshment. It had been arranged to investigate some cavities in the roof of the cavern’s vestibule, for which purpose sundry ladders were requisitioned. These, when lashed together, were hoisted aloft, and allowed to rest on the lip of the central cavity, over forty feet above floor level. Two cragsmen then ascended, one of whom, belayed from the ladder’s top by his comrade, succeeded in making his way along the downward sloping lip of the opening, only to find that further progress was impossible, some likely looking apertures dwindling away to nothingness. The ladders were next reared against a narrow, oblong opening at the extreme inner end of the vestibule, and of similar height from floor level to that already investigated. On ascending, a narrow ledge was seen at one side of the opening, with a very narrow crack running up almost perpendicularly for some distance. Three men now roped up, and, a short ladder being wedged in the crack and supported on the ledge, the first man was able to crawl up its side into safety, some twenty feet higher. Progress along the passage was not difficult, but care was required in order to avoid sending down loose stones. At about ninety feet the place had all the appearance of a cul-de-sac; but a last look round resulted in the discovery that the chimney continued on a higher level. By climbing through an almost circular water worn hole, the upper chockstone pitch could be reached, and this led us gradually higher until, at about 200 feet from the ladders, we were brought to a standstill, the roof and floor approaching each other so closely that, although the thin member was confident of his ability to win through, he saw that no useful purpose would be served thereby, the place having every appearance of being entirely closed up some few feet farther along. We were at this time about ninety feet higher than the top of the ladders, and the passage had followed approximately the line of the main cavern. On our return downstairs, the tackle was unshipped; but it was 4.30am, and quite light, when, having returned the last ladder to its owner at Hope, we were able to tumble into bed.
H. Bishop
Derbyshire Pennine Club 